cannon beach 2

Haystack Rock is the main attraction at Cannon Beach. It’s a 235-foot tall basalt monolith, the third-tallest such structure in the world. It was formed by lava flows emanating from mountains 10 to 17 million years ago. The rock is adjacent to the beach and accessible by foot during low tide. (It used to be joined to the coastline, but has been separated from the coast by years of erosion.) Haystack Rock tide pools are home to cool things like starfish, anemone, crabs and sea slugs. The rock is also a refuge for many sea birds, including terns and puffins. It’s a protected marine site, and you can be fined $1500 for climbing on it. Everyone seems to love just being near it. Its presence is ancient, powerful and magical.